Nectarine tree named &#34;Nectarperle&#34;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, denominated “NECTARPERLE”, has a very long fruit lifetime, and bearing fruit having a sweet sub-acid yellow flesh of high eating quality and an attractive, very high percentage red skin. The tree is of medium size and is vigorous. Moreover fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2004-0748 filed on Apr. 27, 2005 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica sylvestris—White Nectarine.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of [Prunuspersica sylvestris—White] nectarine tree. This new tree, named“NECTARPERLE”, produces very long lifetime, good eating quality,semi-freestone flesh fruit for fresh market in July in the PyrènèeOrientale (66), France. Contrast is made to “ZAIGIBE”“Zaresi”, and“ZAITABO” nectarines, standard varieties, for reliable description.“NECTARPERLE” is a promising candidate for commercial success in that ithas an early flowering and a very long lifetime and durability of itsfruit.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

“NECTARPERLE” nectarine tree (genotype) originated in a cultivated areaof the south of France, in the Pyrènèes Orientales (66) where it wastested. The male parent was “ZAITABO” yellow nectarine (BIG TOP) and thefemale parent is seedbed of “Zairesi”. “NECTARPERLE” was provisionallydesignated and tested as 01.16.10.702 Nb and is registered at theOfficial Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French RepublicDec. 17, 2003 under number 1014093. It was asexually obtained byhybridizing and is propagated by grafting. It has been determined tohave unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy forcommercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of thisstandard rootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plantsremained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the treeand the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually onthe property of S.A.R.L. Agro Selection Fruits, Les Regalines, Routed'Alenya, La Parde de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrènèes Orientales,France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree blooms with “NECTARPERLE”nectarine in early March at Perpignan in the Pyrènèe Orientale, France.More particularly, it blooms at the same time as “ZAIGIBE”, between1^(st) and 12^(th) of March.

The first fruit ripens in early July, 3 days before “ZAIGIBE”. Moreparticularly, it approximately ripens between July 17^(th) and 28^(th).

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows a typical specimen of the leaf,stem and flower of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows a typical specimen of the fruitof the new variety.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by “NECTARPERLE” is high, dueto its long fruit lifetime.

Trees are vigorous and medium stature half-standing in a semi-spread outaspect. The flowering shoot is present excuding brindilles side awayfrom sun. Flowering begins early in springtime. The type of flower areshowy and campanuleous with relative large and medium petal size. Petalsare pale pink. Nectarine petioles are present and reniform. Time ofmaturity for consumption is medium. The fruit flesh is white and itsskin is thick very red with a yellow background. The stone is mediumsize and the flesh is very adherent. Fruit tatste is sub-acid and sweet.

Compared to ZAIGIBE variety, NECTARPERLE has the same time of maturityalthough the coloration is higher, 90%, and the fruit taste is sweeterand acidic. Lifetime of fruit is very long instead of being short.

Compared to Zairesi, NECTARPERLE has a very longer fruit lifetime ettaste is sweeter.

Moreover fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

Tree and fruit are disease resistant to chlorotic leaf spot, necroticring spot, prune dwarf, sharka (plum pox), nepovirus, peach latentmosaic and peach yellows. They are not sensible to cryptogamic disease.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has been observedduring the fruiting season under the ecological conditions prevailing atElne which are located in the Pyrènèes Orientales, France.

Tree

-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large as compared to other common            commercial nectarine cultivars ripening in the middle season            of maturity.-   Vigor: Considered vigorous.-   Productivity: Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to    develop the remaining fruit into the desired market sized fruit. The    number of the fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic    conditions, and cultural practices employed during the bloom period,    and is therefore not distinctive of the present variety.-   Bearer: Regular. Fruit set has been heavy during the years of    observation and thinning was necessary during the past 3 years.-   Form: Upright semi-standing, and pruned to a vase semi-spread out    shape.-   Density: Considered medium dense.-   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The    variety appears to be hardy under typical central Pyrènèes    Orientales climatic conditions.

Trunk

-   Diameter: Considered average.-   Bark texture: Considered moderately rough, with numerous folds of    papery scarfskin being present.-   Lenticels: Numerous flat, oval lenticels are present.-   Lenticel color: Considered an orange brown.-   Bark coloration: Variable, but it is generally considered to be a    medium grey-brown.

Branches

-   Size: Considered medium for the variety.-   Diameter: Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.-   Surface texture: Average, and appearing furrowed on wood which is    several years old.-   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable. This    particular characteristic is not considered distinctive of the    variety, however.-   Current season shoots:    -   -   Surface texture.—Substantially glabrous.-   Internode length: Considered average.-   Color of mature branches: Medium brown.-   Current seasons shoots:    -   -   Color.—Light green. The color of new shoot tips is            considered a bright and shiny green.

Leaves

-   Size: Considered medium to large for the species. Leaf measurements    have been taken from vigorous, upright, current-season growth at    approximately mid-shoot.-   Leaf length: Considered average.-   Leaf width: Considered average.-   Leaf base shape: Slightly oblique relative to the leaf longitudinal    axis.-   Leaf form: Lancelolate. Considered to be relatively narrow for the    species.-   Leaf tip form: Reniform.-   Leaf color:    -   -   Upper leaf surface.—green.-   Leaf texture: Glabrous.-   Leaf color: green.    -   -   Lower surface.—Medium green.-   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined.-   Mid-vein:    -   -   Color.—Light yellow green.-   Leaf margins: Slightly undulating.-   Form: Considered crenate.-   Uniformity: Considered generally uniform.-   Leaf petioles:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium.        -   Length.—About 8.0 to about 10.0 mm.        -   Diameter.—About 1.0 to about 2.0 mm.        -   Color.—Pale green.-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium.        -   Number.—Generally one gland per margin side. Occasionally            two glands per margin side.        -   Type.—Reniform.        -   Color.—Considered a pale orange.-   Leaf stipules:    -   -   Size.—Medium large for the variety.        -   Number.—Typically 2 per leaf bud and up to 4 per shoot tip.        -   Form.—Lanceolate in form and having a serrated margin.        -   Color.—Green, when young, but graduating to a brown color,            with advancing senescence. The stipules are considered to be            early deciduous.

Flowers

-   Flower buds:    -   -   Generally.—The floral buds, depending upon the stage of            development, are approximately 7.0 milimeters wide; about            11.0 milimeters long; conic in form; and slightly appressed            relative to the bearing shoot.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. The bud scales are deep purple. The buds are            considered hardy under typical central Pyrènèes Orientales            climatic conditions.-   Hardiness: No winter injury has been noted during the last several    years of evaluation in the central Pyrènèes Orientales. The current    variety has not been intentionally subjected to drought or heat    stress, and therefore this information is not available.-   Date of bloom: March.-   Blooming time: Considered early-season in relative comparison to    other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the Pyrènèes    Orientales, France. The date of full bloom is observed on March. The    date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions and cultural    practices.-   Duration of bloom: Approximately 12 days. This characteristic varies    slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.-   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a non showy type    flower.-   Flower size: Flower diameter at full bloom is consedered average.-   Bloom quantity: Considered very abundant.-   Flower bud frequency: Normally 1 to 2 flower buds appear per node.-   Petal size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered very small for the species.-   Length: Considered average.-   Width: Considered average.-   Petal form: Slightly ovoid.-   Petal count: Nearly always 5.-   Petal texture: Glabrous.-   Petal color: Pink.-   Fragrance: Slight.-   Petal claw:    -   -   Form.—The claw is considered generally ovoid and has a            medium size when compared to other varieties.        -   Length.—Considered average.        -   Width.—Considered average.-   Petal margins: Generally considered variable, from nearly smooth to    slightly ruffled, to moderately undulate.-   Petal apex:    -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally entire at the tip.-   Flower pedicel:    -   -   Length.—Considered medium-long, and having an average            length.        -   Diameter.—Considered average.        -   Color.—A medium brown.-   Floral nectaries:    -   -   Color.—A dull orange.-   Calyx:    -   -   Surface texture.—Generally glabrous.        -   Color.—Purple.-   Sepals:    -   -   Surface texture.—The surface has a short, fine pubescent            texture.        -   Size.—Average, and ovate in form.        -   Color.—A deep purple.-   Anthers:    -   -   Generally.—Average in length.        -   Color.—Red to reddish-orange dorsally.-   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow color. The    present variety is considered self fruitful (self-pollinating).-   Filaments:    -   -   Size.—Length is variable.-   Color: Considered light pink.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—Usually 1, rarely 2.        -   Generally.—Average in size.        -   Length.—Considered average. including the ovary.        -   Color.—Considered a very pale green.        -   Surface texture.—The variety has a long glabrous pistil.

Fruit

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe condition (shipping ripe).-   Date of picking: July. The date of harvest varies slightly with the    prevailing climatic conditions.-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large, and uniform.-   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 70.0 to about 80.0    millimeters.-   Average axial diameter: Approximately 60.0 to about 75.0    millimeters.-   Typical weight: Approximately between 200.0 grams. This    characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing cultural    practices, and therefore is not particularly distinctive of the    variety.-   Fruit form:    -   -   Generally.—Considerably oblate. The fruit is generally            uniform in symmetry.-   Fruit suture: Very shallow and smooth, extending from the base to    the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the    suture line.-   Suture:    -   -   Color.—This has a yellow orange background color.-   Ventral surface:    -   -   Form.—Only slightly indented.-   Apex: Rounded.-   Base: Generally retuse.-   Stem cavity: Generally elongated in the suture plane.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Considered medium in thickness, and tenacious to            the flesh.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Taste.—Non-astringent.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.-   Color:    -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is generally red. The blush            covers approximately more than 90% of the fruit skin            surface. The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin            surface can vary, and is generally dependant upon the            prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown.        -   Ground color.—Yellow.-   Fruit stem: Medium in length.-   Diameter: Considered average.-   Color: Pale yellow-green.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, juicy and dense. The flesh is considered            non-melting.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, and tender ones are typically found.        -   Aroma.—Very slight.        -   Eating quality.—Considered very good.        -   Flavor.—Considered sweet and mildly acidic. The flavor is            considered both pleasant and balanced.        -   Juice.—Moderate.        -   Brix.—About 14.0 degrees. This characteristic varies            slightly with the number of fruit per tree; prevailing            cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions.        -   Flesh color.—White.

Stone

-   Type: Clingstone.-   Size: Considered medium for the variety. The stone size varies    significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and    prevailing growing conditions.-   Length: Average.-   Width: Average.-   Diameter: Average.-   Form: Ovoid.-   Base: The stone is usually rounded to slightly oblique relative to    the ventral side.-   Apex:    -   -   Shape.—The stone apex has a small prominent tip.-   Stone surface:    -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is irregularly furrowed toward the            apical end. Pitting is generally more present and noted on            the lateral sides and toward the base.        -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by            more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more            prominent at the apical tip.-   Ventral edge:    -   -   Width.—Considered medium.-   Dorsal edge:    -   -   Shape.—Full, lightly grooved, and having a reasonably smooth            margin.-   Stone color: The color of the dry stone is generally considered a    reddish brown.-   Tendency to split: Splitting has rarely been noted.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium-large.        -   Form.—Considered ovoid.        -   Pellicle.—Pubescent.        -   Color.—Greyed orange.-   Use: The subject variety “NECTARPERLE” is considered to be a    nectarine tree of the middle season of maturity, and which produces    fruit that are considered firm, attractively colored, and which are    useful for both local and very long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Excellent. Fruit stayed one week on tree before    harvest and then, has stored well up to 3 weeks after harvest at 1.0    degree Celsius.-   Shipping quality: Considered good. The fruit of the new nectarine    variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage after    being subjected to normal harvesting and packing procedures.-   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities    were noted. The present variety has not been tested to expose or    detect any susceptibilities or resistances to any known plant and/or    fruit diseases.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear ELNE, Pyrènèes Orientales, France, it should be understood thatvariations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident tochanges in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control andhorticultural management are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct nectarine tree variety as illustrated anddescribed, characterized by a very long fruit lifetime, and bearingfruit having a sweet sub-acid white flesh of high eating quality and anattractive, very high percentage red skin.